Single-stream recycling means big changes to come for Durango

Plastic, cans, cardboard, paper and even paper bags are among the items that can be recycled with the city of Durango’s new single-stream recycling program to be implemented in February. Glass will have to be taken to one of several locations.

JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald illustration

Plastic, cans, cardboard, paper and even paper bags are among the items that can be recycled with the city of Durango’s new single-stream recycling program to be implemented in February. Glass will have to be taken to one of several locations.

Single-stream recycling is coming to Durango on Feb. 1, the city’s sustainability coordinator told a Green Business Roundtable lunch crowd of 60 on Wednesday.

“It’s not fancy, but it allows us to combine the majority of recyclable items in one bin,” Mary Beth Miles said. “It reduces waste going to landfills and saves energy.”

Instead of separate bins for separate products, almost everything can be dropped into a 60- or 90-gallon bin. The ease of disposal will require a new bin to allow automated instead of manual manipulation of containers.

Customers must request a new bin, Miles said. They also will see a rate increase of $3 per month.

Baled waste will be sold to the highest bidder, Miles said. Potential buyers have been identified in Denver, Phoenix and California.

Adherence to disposal guidelines is important, Miles said, because companies that buy baled waste won’t accept more than 4 percent contamination.

Glass can be dropped at numerous locations such as the markets and liquor stores where Dumpsters are located now, or at the recycling center, Miles said.

Recycling glass to make new glass is the highest and best use of the resource, Miles said.

“When glass is collected along with other waste, 30 percent ends up as new glass,” Miles said. “When glass is collected separately, 98 percent becomes new glass.”

It’s estimated that single-stream recycling will increase the amount of material recycled by 30 percent, Miles said. This is the equivalent of what 5,500 average Americans or 7,300 Durango residents throw away in a year.

Greenhouse-gas emissions will be reduced by an amount equal to the emissions of 2,229 passenger vehicles, Miles said.

Commercial customers will have three bins instead of five under the new recycling program.

Miles said a program for compostable items is in the future.

The city wants to expand the size of the recycling center to 11,000 square feet from 7,420. The makeover will cost an estimated $1.6 million. When this will happen is uncertain.

More information

Information about the city of Durango’s new recycling program, scheduled to begin Feb. 1, is available from Mary Beth Miles, the city’s sustainability coordinator, at 375-4830. Information about new bins and pickup schedules is available at 375-5004.